Ó hAilpín a casualty of a culture he helped create

PROFESSIONAL sport is as cold as an accountant’s balance sheet.

Players have assets that might fall under headings such as: skill, athleticism, youth, and commitment.

They also have liabilities. They could be injury-prone, a disruptive voice in the changing room, or too fond of the nightlife. The number of liabilities permitted is generally in direct proportion to a player’s list of abilities.